What Is GreenPan?
GreenPan is a cookware brand known for its innovative non-stick coating. The company has a mission to produce healthy and environmentally friendly cookware. According to the manufacturer’s claim, their non-stick coating called Thermolon is made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium and is safer than Teflon’s non-stick coating. This means that GreenPan ceramic non-stick cookware won’t leach harmful substances into the food or release toxic fumes when exposed to high heat.
GreenPan is also a Cookware Company based in Belgium. Their products are designed in Belgium, while the non-stick coating is made in Korea and the cookware items are assembled in China.
What Is GreenPan Made of?
GreenPan uses a ceramic coating called Thermolon™ to produce its non-stick cookware line. Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating was created in 2007 by using Sol-Gel technology. The coating is made from minerals derived from sand with color pigments. A gel-like mixture is applied on a metal base and thermally cured to obtain a durable non-stick coating.
The inner construction of GreenPan non-stick ceramic cookware is made of 3-ply stainless steel, 5-ply stainless steel, or hard anodized aluminum.
Is Thermolon Safe?
Thermolon coating was an improvement compared to Teflon, particularly in terms of safety. Thermolon is also more durable and less prone to damage than older ceramic non-stick liners. This means there are fewer chances that metal bases will come in contact with food.
Although Thermolon is a step further than traditional Teflon, there are some doubts that it is 100% toxin-free.
Because it’s advertised as “completely toxin-free,” in 2019, Thermolon was the subject of a lawsuit against the GreenPan company. According to the GreenPan class action lawsuit, the patented Thermolon might hide several harmful chemicals that are used within the coating.
Since there are no studies to support claims about Thermolon’s safety, so there is not adequate evidence to prove that Thermolon coating is 100% toxin-free.
Is GreenPan Dishwasher Safe?
When reading a product description, you may notice that some ceramic non-stick cookware is described as dishwasher safe. However, if you have a look at the user manual, hand washing is recommended for a longer duration of the non-stick properties.
Always hand wash ceramic non-stick cookware, regardless of what the product description says. This will not be a difficult task because GreenPan ceramic non-stick cookware is very easy to clean.
Regular Cleaning
Since food does not stick to the cooking surface, GreenPan cookware with a Thermolon non-stick coating is very easy to cook. Warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge are quite enough for cleaning. Rinse with water and leave to dry.
Always allow the pan to cool before washing. Immersing a warm pan in cold water may deform the pan.
How to Clean Burnt GreenPan Non-Stick Cookware
Heating oil or batter at a high temperature can lead to carbonization and burnt spots.
The melamine sponge is the best tool that will help to remove these burnt spots. Fill the container halfway with water, add a little dishwashing liquid, and let the water with the detergent boil for 2 minutes. Then empty the pan and while it is still warm use melamine sponges to remove the charred residue from the cooking surface.
Do not use abrasive cleaners to remove black spots from the cooking surface as this will damage the non-stick finish.
You can use a paste of baking soda and water to clean stains from the outside of the pan.
To avoid carbonization, use high-smoke point cooking oils. Never use oil sprays on the cooking surface.
Is GreenPan Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Oven Safe
Thermolon coating is made to withstand oven temperatures up to 600 F which is more than you may need for most cooking tasks. However, the limiting factors may be handles, lids, and knobs. Handles made of wood or plastic are not supposed to go in hot ovens and can be damaged at high temperatures. Make sure to look at the user manual for specific products.
Keep in mind that exposing non-stick cookware to high temperatures will result in a gradual loss of non-stick capabilities. I wouldn’t recommend putting GreenPan or any other non-stick cookware in the oven. Use cast iron, enameled cast iron, or stainless-steel cookware for oven cooking.
Is GreenPan Non-Stick Cookware Metal Utensils Safe?
Regardless of what manufacturers say, never use metal utensils on ceramic-coated non-stick cookware. Sharp metal utensils can damage the non-stick coating, especially when used while the cookware is still hot. Non-stick cookware requires the use of softer cooking utensils such as those made of wood, bamboo, or silicone.
Is GreenPan Worth It?
While the cookware is new, the non-stick properties may be outstanding and cleaning is a breeze. But if you often use the pan, you may experience food-sticking issues after a few months. This is not unexpected because a non-stick surface loses its non-stick properties over time due to repeated use and exposure to high temperatures. If you find that your GreenPan has paid for itself during the period of use, you can decide to invest in a new one from the same brand. Alternatively, you can opt for iron cookware that requires more maintenance or enameled cookware that isn’t fully non-stick. Enameled cookware is the best choice if safety is our top priority.
Finally, you can try a more expensive pan that may offer a longer-lasting non-stick property. Unfortunately, no lifetime non-stick cookware has been made yet.
